Hi, Bob.
Pre-installed Windows are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) versions,
and each version is different, depending on which OEM installed it on the
computer. :>(
You may have to go back to the OEM - or at least to the vendor who sold it
to you. If you tell us the make and model of your computer, somebody here
might recognize it and give you better advice. PERHAPS your recovery CD
might re-install Win98, letting you start over, but we can't tell you that
without knowing just what you have now.
This situation is exactly why MS encourages each OEM to supply a complete
WinXP CD-ROM with each computer, but some OEMs are unwilling to spend the
few extra bucks to do that. Their "recovery" CD might omit the critical
bits that WinXP Upgrade needs to verify that you qualify for the upgrade
price. As you probably know, there is no other difference between the
"upgrade" the "full" version of WinXP; just that the "upgrade" version
checks for a qualifying prior version.
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Bob Dolmetsch said:
I attempted to install XP upgrade on a Windows 98 machine. Part way
through, the installation froze. After a bit I turned the machine off and
attempted the installation anew, but the second time the computer reported
it could not find the previous Windows (to qualify for an upgrade).
I can't find the old installation disks (Windows 98 came installed on the
computer). Is there any hope for me short of buying the new version of
Windows XP?
